Diarrhea in dogs
Diarrhea in dogs is characterized by the change in stool consistency, from hard stools to liquid stools. In addition to the change in stool consistency, there is also an increase in the frequency with which dogs relieve themselves and intestinal gas.
Diarrhea makes dogs lose a lot of fluids, altering their well-being mood, lose their appetite and enter a state of permanent fatigue. It can be fatal in younger dogs as they are more vulnerable than adult dogs.
Causes of diarrhea in dogs
The causes of diarrhea in dogs vary a lot. They can be caused by certain foods, changes in diet, ingested plants, viruses transmitted by other dogs, allergies, stress, emotional disturbance, parasites, gastroenteritis of bacterial origin (such as salmonella), or even diseases.
In this way, you should be aware of what your dog has eaten or what he has done differently in the last few days that may have caused such a reaction. The animal’s history is critical in determining the cause of diarrhea.
Regardless of the cause, diarrhea causes massive fluid loss, leaving the dog fragile. It would be best if you analyzed all animal signs, as the reaction can be fatal.
Prevent diarrhea in dogs
- Do not give your dog foods rich in carbohydrates or fats. Avoid giving this type of food or reduce it as much as possible.
- Do not mix different and comprehensive foods daily to avoid irritability or allergies.
- Give the food in small portions, giving the animal’s body time to digest.
- Pay attention to the expiration date of food. People tend not to confirm the expiration date on dog food, but it is a necessary check that can influence your dog’s well-being.
Treatment of diarrhea in dogs
One of the main consequences of diarrhea in dogs is the loss of fluids, so your dog must ingest plenty of fluids.
During the 1st day of the reaction, the dog should not eat. It would be best to fast the body to process and expel what is causing the reaction.
After the 1st day of fasting and with the ingestion of liquids, you should give light and cooked foods such as rice or chicken to help with recovery and combat fatigue.
Food should be given to the dog in small doses and at intervals to assess the animal’s reaction.
If diarrhea does not go away in two days, three at the most, you should take your dog to the vet to have it evaluated and an appropriate treatment prescribed.
The vet will assess the stool color and consistency to determine the cause of diarrhea. You can also put the dog in the serum to help stabilize the animal.
Some tests may be requested to determine the origin, such as:
- Coproparasitological (stool examination)
- Complete blood count and leukogram (blood test)
- X-ray
- Ultrasonography
In most cases, diarrhea passes within 48 hours or through taking antibiotics.
Keep an eye on your dog and, if you suspect he has diarrhea, follow the steps indicated. In extreme cases, we recommend immediately taking the dog to the veterinarian.